Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert says no one can doubt the character of his
players after they came from two-down to draw with West Bromwich Albion

Paul Lambert insisted Aston Villa’s “horrendous” start to this year has toughened up his young players after a spirited second half performance rescued a point at the Hawthorns.

Lambert is convinced that Villa’s struggles last season, in which they were thrashed by Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in December, and then knocked out of the Capital One Cup semi-final by Bradford City a month later, strengthened the character of his squad.

Villa were two goals down after 11 minutes against West Bromwich Albion but three substitutions swung the derby in their favour, with Karim El Ahmadi and Ashley Westwood scoring to extend their unbeaten run to three games.

Lambert believes the comeback provided further evidence of their development as a team, after a difficult first season in charge.

"We were just in the door 15 months ago and we took a lot of criticism for doing certain things but we had to do it, or else the club would never move forward,” he said.

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"The beatings we took last year would stand us in good stead because you’ve got to go through adversity to make yourself a better player. I don’t think anyone can doubt their character now.

"There’s no blame culture here in the dressing room and we’re in this together. The character has been there since February, after we got through that January which was horrendous.

"Sometimes you have to go through that to find out how strong you are. To come back from 2-0 down you come away really happy. We look a really good side when we get going.”

Albion are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Villa but head coach Steve Clarke was left to rue a missed opportunity.

Shane Long’s brilliant double had appeared to put the home team in control before Stéphane Sessègnon produced a glaring miss late in the first half.

Clarke said: “When you’re leading comfortably 2-0 midway through the second half you feel you should go on and get the three points.

"We scored two terrific goals and had a great chance to make it 3-0. We made two bad mistakes defensively and if you do that you get punished in this league.

"We have drawn too many games this season, you have to turn those draws into wins and if you do that you climb the table. On a positive its one defeat in 9 which in this league’s not the easiest thing. It’s not all doom and gloom.”

Long’s future remains uncertain with negotiations over a new contract reaching an impasse earlier this season. The Republic of Ireland international almost joined Hull City in the last transfer window but Clarke is hopeful of his board restarting talks.

"I’ve said all along that Shane would have a big part to play for us this season and he’s proven that on the pitch,” he said. "I’m sure the club will sit down sometime in the future and sort that one out.”

Clarke also moved to clear up the future of England under-21 international Saido Berahino, who remains in talks over a lucrative new contract. Albion have been in negotiations with Berahino for weeks over a deal but the 20-year-old, an unused substitute, appeared to suggest it had hit problems after tweeting “Time to be selfish” shortly after the game.

Clarke said: “As far as I know the club have made him a really good offer. I don’t think there is too much more negotiating to be done, he just has to put pen to the paper. It’s a good deal.”